Highlander vs outback: which suv reigns supreme in 2023?

What To Know

  • The Outback received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.
  • The Toyota Highlander comes standard with a variety of features, including a rearview camera, a touchscreen infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
  • The Subaru Outback comes standard with a variety of features, including a rearview camera, a touchscreen infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The Toyota Highlander and Subaru Outback are two of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of cargo space, and a variety of features. But which one is the right choice for you? We’ll compare the Toyota Highlander vs. Subaru Outback in terms of performance, fuel economy, safety, and price to help you make an informed decision.

Performance

The Toyota Highlander is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The Subaru Outback is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Highlander has a clear advantage in terms of power, but the Outback is more fuel-efficient.

Fuel Economy

The Toyota Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Subaru Outback gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Outback has a clear advantage in terms of fuel economy.

Safety

Both the Toyota Highlander and Subaru Outback have received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The Outback received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

Price

The Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $35,855. The Subaru Outback has a starting price of $27,995. The Outback is the more affordable option, but the Highlander offers more features and a more powerful engine.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Toyota Highlander and Subaru Outback are both excellent midsize SUVs. The Highlander offers more power and features, while the Outback is more fuel-efficient and affordable. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Interior

The Toyota Highlander has a spacious interior with seating for up to eight passengers. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second-row seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom. The third-row seats are best suited for children or small adults.

The Subaru Outback has a more compact interior than the Highlander, but it still offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second-row seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom. The Outback does not offer a third row of seats.

Cargo Space

The Toyota Highlander has 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats, 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, and 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows of seats folded down.

The Subaru Outback has 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats and 75.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row of seats folded down.

Features

The Toyota Highlander comes standard with a variety of features, including a rearview camera, a touchscreen infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Available features include a sunroof, a navigation system, and a premium audio system.

The Subaru Outback comes standard with a variety of features, including a rearview camera, a touchscreen infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Available features include a sunroof, a navigation system, and a premium audio system.

Final Thoughts

The Toyota Highlander and Subaru Outback are both excellent midsize SUVs. The Highlander offers more power and features, while the Outback is more fuel-efficient and affordable. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Which SUV has more horsepower?
A: The Toyota Highlander has more horsepower than the Subaru Outback.

Q: Which SUV has better fuel economy?
A: The Subaru Outback has better fuel economy than the Toyota Highlander.

Q: Which SUV has a higher safety rating?
A: The Toyota Highlander and Subaru Outback have both received excellent safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS.

Q: Which SUV is more affordable?
A: The Subaru Outback is more affordable than the Toyota Highlander.

Q: Which SUV has more cargo space?
A: The Toyota Highlander has more cargo space than the Subaru Outback.